Fence assembly

Abstract

A method of making an assemblable fence and the fence which includes a plurality of spaced apart pickets, each picket having an aperture therein facing in the same direction, an insert having an edge with a single or plurality of spaced apart fingers disposed along the edge, the spacing between the fingers being the same as the spacing between the center portions of the pickets and a substantially U-shaped rail having an intermediate portion and a pair of spaced apart portions extending from the intermediate portion. The insert is placed between the rail and the pickets so that the fingers are aligned with the apertures and above the apertures in the pickets. The rail and fingers are then moved toward the apertures until the fingers enter and are locked in the apertures. In one embodiment, the step of moving the rail and the fingers further includes continuing to move the rail and the fingers in the same direction after entry of the fingers into the apertures to provide the locking. This is accomplished by providing a locking device having an ω-shaped portion with a top semi-circular portion and a bottom semi-circular portion, the step of locking including rotating the insert from the top semi-circular portion to the bottom semi-circular portion to provide locking in conjunction with the aperture. In the second embodiment the locking device includes a flange extending toward the pickets and the step of locking the insert between the flange and the intermediate portion of the U-shaped rail.

I claim: 
     
       1. An assembled fence which comprises: (a) a plurality of pickets, each of said pickets having an aperture therein;   (b) an insert having an edge with at least one finger disposed along said edge, each said at least one finger being disposed in a said aperture; and   (c) a substantially U-shaped rail having an intermediate portion and a pair spaced apart portions extending from said intermediate portion disposed along and parallel to opposing surfaces of each of said pickets and locking said insert in said aperture in conjunction with said pickets;   (d) one of said spaced apart portions including locking means including an ω-shaped portion having a top semi-circular portion and a bottom semi-circular portion, said insert being rotatable from said top semi-circular portion to said bottom semi-circular portion to provide locking in conjunction with said aperture.   
     
     
       2. The fence of claim 1 wherein said insert includes a pair of parallel opposed edges and an intermediate portion, said intermediate portion having a bend therein parallel to said opposed edges. 
     
     
       3. The fence of claim 1 wherein said one of said opposed edges includes a plurality of spaced apart fingers, the spacing between said fingers being the same as the spacing between the center portions of said pickets. 
     
     
       4. The fence of claim 1 wherein one of said opposed edges includes a single finger. 
     
     
       5. A method of making an assemblable fence comprising the steps of: (a) providing a plurality of spaced apart pickets, each of said pickets having an aperture therein facing in the same direction;   (b) providing an insert having an edge with at least one finger disposed along said edge;   (c) providing a substantially U-shaped rail having an intermediate portion and a pair spaced apart portions extending from said intermediate portion;   (d) one of said spaced apart portions including locking means including an ω-shaped portion having a top semi-circular portion and a bottom semi-circular portion, and rotating said insert from said top semi-circular portion to said bottom semi-circular portion to provide locking in conjunction with said rail;   (e) placing said insert between said rail and said pickets so that said at least one finger is aligned with a said aperture and above said aperture in said pickets; and   (f) moving said rail and said at least one finger toward said apertures until said at least one finger enters and is locked in a said aperture.   
     
     
       6. The method of claim 5 whereins aid locking means includes a flange extending toward said pickets, further including the step of locking said insert between said flange and said intermediate portion of said U-shaped rail. 
     
     
       7. An assembled fence which comprises: (a) a plurality of pickets, each of said pickets having a major axis and an aperture therein;   (b) a separate insert having at least one finger extending therefrom, each said at least one finger being disposed in a different said aperture, said insert having a pair of opposing edges disposed normal to said major axis, one of said edges extending inwardly toward said at least one picket and the other of said edges extending outwardly away from said at least one picket; and   (c) a substantially U-shaped rail, said U comprising an intermediate portion and a pair of spaced apart portions extending from said intermediate portion disposed along and parallel to opposing surfaces of each of said pickets, said rail including locking means for locking said insert in said aperture in conjunction with said pickets.   
     
     
       8. The fence of claim 7 wherein said locking means includes one of said pair of spaced apart portions, said one of said pair of spaced apart portions including a flange extending toward said picket from a terminal portion thereof, said edges of said insert extending outwardly and resting on said flange. 
     
     
       9. The fence of claim 8 wherein said insert is dimensioned to fit snugly between said flange and said intermediate portion. 
     
     
       10. The fence of claim 7 wherein said insert is dimensioned to fit snugly between said flange and said intermediate portion. 
     
     
       11. A method of making an assemblable fence comprising the steps of: (a) providing a plurality of pickets, each of said pickets having a major axis and an aperture therein;   (b) providing a separate insert having at least one finger extending therefrom, said insert having a pair of opposing edges disposed normal to said major axis, one of said edges extending inwardly toward said at least one picket and the other of said edges extending outwardly away from said at least one picket;   (c) providing a substantially U-shaped rail, said U comprising an intermediate portion and a pair of parallel spaced apart portions extending from said intermediate portion;   (d) disposing each said at least one finger in a different said aperture; and   (e) sliding said rail over said insert so that said rail travels first over said one of said edges extending inwardly toward said at least one picket until said flange extends below said other of said edges extending outwardly away from said at least one picket and said other of said edges extending outwardly away from said at least one picket rests on said flange.   
     
     
       12. The method of claim 11 wherein said insert is dimensioned to fit snugly between said flange and said intermediate portion.